Drought status worsens throughout Arkansas

Thursday's new report from the Drought Monitor says 33.64 percent of Arkansas is in exceptional drought. That area includes parts of north, central and southwest Arkansas, along with Clay and Greene counties in northeast Arkansas.

One-third of Arkansas is in an exceptional drought — the most severe classification by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Thursday's new report from the Drought Monitor says 33.64 percent of Arkansas is in exceptional drought. That area includes parts of north, central and southwest Arkansas, along with Clay and Greene counties in northeast Arkansas.

Last week, 10 percent of Arkansas was classified as in exceptional drought status.

On Wednesday, the Arkansas Forestry Commission elevated the fire danger to extreme across much of the state because of the hot, dry weather.

Hot, humid temperatures are expected to persist though some rain is possible this week. The National Weather Service says a cold front entering the state Thursday could bring storms in an area north of Clarksville to Batesville.